When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded
him and took his wife into his home. Matthew 1:24
What is it that made Saint Joseph so great? He wasn’t immaculately
conceived as our Blessed Mother was. He was not divine like Jesus.
But he was the head of the Holy Family, its guardian and its
provider. He became the legal father of the Savior of the World and
the spouse of the Mother of God. But Joseph is not great only
because he was given such incredible privileges. First and
foremost, he was great because of the choices he made in life.
Today’s Gospel refers to him as a “righteous man” and as a man who
“did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.” Thus, his greatness
is primarily on account of his moral righteousness and obedience to
the will of God.
Joseph’s obedience is especially seen in the fact that he obeyed
the voice of God given to him in the four dreams recorded in
Scripture. In his first dream, Joseph is told “do not be afraid to
take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy
Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a
son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people
from their sins” (Matthew 1:20–21). In his second dream, Joseph is
told, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay
there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to
destroy him” (Matthew 2:13). In his third dream, Joseph is told,
“Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel,
for those who sought the child’s life are dead” (Matthew 2:20). And
in his fourth dream, Joseph is warned to go instead to Galilee
rather than Judea (Matthew 2:22).
When these dreams are read in succession, it is clear that Saint
Joseph was attentive to the voice of God. We all have dreams, but
Joseph’s dreams were different. They were clear communications from
God, and they required a willing recipient. Joseph was open to the
voice of God and listened in faith as that willing recipient.
Joseph also responded with complete submission and full
determination. The commands Joseph received were not insignificant.
His obedience required that he and his family travel great
distances, take up residence in strange lands and do so all in
faith.
It’s also clear that Joseph took his vocation seriously. Pope Saint
John Paul II gave him the title “Guardian of the Redeemer.” Over
and over, he showed his unwavering commitment to his role as the
guardian of his legal Son, Jesus, and of his wife, Mary. His life
was spent providing for them, protecting them and offering them a
father’s heart.
Reflect, today, upon the unique vocation of Saint Joseph. Ponder,
especially, the early years of his marriage and the raising of
Jesus. Consider his fatherly commitment to care for, provide for
and protect his Son. We all must seek to imitate Saint Joseph’s
virtues by protecting the presence of Christ within our own hearts,
the hearts of our family and friends and in the world as a whole.
Pray to Saint Joseph, asking him to help you follow his example so
that the hidden presence of our Lord in our lives will grow and
come to full maturation.
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her
trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show
yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us
grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.
(Prayer from Patris Corde)
Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.com
Copyright 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used
with permission via RSS feed.
Featured image above: he Dream of St. Joseph By Luca Giordano,
via Wikimedia Commons
Kommentare (0)
Melde dich an, um einen Kommentar zu schreiben.